Sudan seeks arrest of Darfur rebel leader after group breaks off peace talks with government

Sudan seeks arrest of key Darfur rebel leader

KHARTOUM, Sudan — Sudan is seeking the arrest of the leader of Darfur’s most powerful rebel group, which froze peace talks with the government a week ago.

The semi-official news agency Sudanese Media Center reported Tuesday that Justice Minister Abdel-Basset Sabdarat asked Interpol to help arrest the rebel leader “wherever he may be.”

The leader of the rebel Justice and Equality Movement, Khalil Ibrahim, is currently in Egypt, which has close ties with the government of Sudan.

The head of the rebel negotiating team, Ahmed Tugod, said the government’s decision to seek Ibrahim’s arrest will have a “negative impact” on the peace process.

The rebel group froze talks on May 3 after accusing the government of violating a cease-fire.